submitted by Gary Elias, Arbitration Team
As many of our members may already know, the long awaited A.O.S. (Aircraft Ordering System) Decision is in. The bottom line: “Grievance Denied”
The Company prevailed, not because the Union was unable to prove this was bargaining unit work, but because their witness testified that Planners, Schedulers and Supervisors have requested or ordered aircraft parts and supplies through A.O.S. for many years without being grieved.
If there is a bright spot to be found, the Board recognized this to be the exception rather than the RULE. The following language was included in the decision:
“This is not to say however, that A/A has carte blanche to have Planners, Schedulers, Supervisors and others preform this work in the future. A reading of the job descriptions makes it clear that this is primarily Stock Clerk work, which since A.O.S. was instituted, when not done by Stock Clerks, has largely been done by bargaining unit employees including Mechanics and Crew Chiefs.”
The Arbitrator goes on to say: “This award is not intended to expand this narrow practice.”
This decision serves as an important reminder to protect the work we have, our future depends on it.